Arsenal were crowned league champions (Image: Getty)
Another fascinating Premier League campaign concludes on Sunday as champions Arsenal lift the trophy for the first time in 22 years. Mikel Arteta’s side clinched the title on Tuesday after rivals Manchester City dropped points with a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, making it impossible to overturn the Gunners’ advantage at the top of the table heading into the final round.
This is the north London club’s 14th top-flight crown and fourth in the Premier League era. The last victory came during the legendary 2003-04 Invincibles season. Captain Martin Odegaard will lift the trophy at Selhurst Park after the team’s final game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
But Arsenal’s title win not only brought an end to more than 20 years of league misery, but the top-flight champions were rewarded with a hefty sum of money, and their coffers were also significantly enriched.
A league source said: “As part of the funds they receive from the central payout, clubs receive an income based on their final position in the Premier League table.
“These merit payments are based on a sliding scale calculated according to your ranking from 1st to 20th place.
“For example, Arsenal are supposed to receive 20 times the basic merit pay, but the club that comes in second place will receive 19 times, etc.”
Express sports on FB! Get all the best sports news and more on our Facebook page
The exact figures vary from season to season, but each league position above bottom was worth around £2.6m during the 2024/25 season. Assuming each position has equal value this season, Arsenal will earn £53.1m by finishing top of the league.
Bruno Fernandes helped Manchester United earn a huge amount of money. (Image: Getty Images)
Second-placed City, meanwhile, will receive around £50.4m, while rivals Manchester United will pay £47.7m for third place.
Newly crowned Europa League champions Aston Villa will be awarded £45 million in prize money if they maintain fourth place.
World Cup Legends: The stars of soccer’s biggest tournament in history – buy the special edition now
Liverpool, currently in fifth place, will collect £42.4m if their league standings do not change at the final weekend, but that number will drop to £39.8m if they drop below Bournemouth to sixth place.
Further down the table, there is still plenty of room for contention, with some clubs looking set to see a change of more than £13m depending on their final day’s standings.
A seventh place finish is within reach for Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland, but all three face the possibility of finishing 12th, with their prize money between £37.1m and £23.8m.
Arsenal also reportedly earned more than £120m by reaching the Champions League final, and that figure will rise even more if they beat PSG in Budapest next weekend.
